Meet Derek Bolden | Filmmaker and Cinematographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Derek Bolden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derek, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been drawn to great art. Whether it be music, films or engineering, there has always been a fascination with creation. As a young child, my grandpa used to tell me to act sick so I could skip school and watch westerns with him: these are some of my favorite memories from my childhood. Additionally, I loved watching 80’s television and Chaplin films with my dad. As I got older, my friend, Luke, and I became fascinated by audio and film history. We tried emulating our favorite directors and making short films in high school. Making films with my friends became a hobby of mine, but for reasons unknown to myself, I chose to pursue a different career path initially. About a year into my cyber security degree, I decided it wasn’t for me. One day, after visiting home, I watched Bicycle Thieves with my dad. I was truly inspired and asked myself: Would I be happy for the rest of my life working on a computer instead of pursuing the camera? I realized my true passion was creating something I could be proud of. I switched colleges and got a degree in film and media.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
To me, my art is in many ways a product of who I am. Whenever I set out to produce a film, I always look to my influences and past experiences to set the tone and atmosphere for what’s to come. Recently, I’ve found myself obsessed with celluloid film, and I actually went as far as to buy and modify a Krasnogorsk-3 to super 16mm. This was used on my most recent and upcoming film, “Hi, Sierra”, a love letter to noir. The reason I say this, is because part of making art and independent films is pouring your interest, heart and personality into them. For example, I am a huge horror fan, and a film of mine that sticks out to me is titled: The Last Harvest. Although not my best work, it’s my favorite. This was the first film I was Director of Photography on, and one of the first times I was able to use the extent of my knowledge to the fullest. Leading up to the project, I convinced a few crew members to watch The Evil Dead Trilogy and numerous Dario Argento films to emulate the lighting and camera work found in both. The film was to be written, filmed and edited in under 7 days as a part of the University of West Georgia horror film race competition. One obstacle we ran into while shooting was that the film required 25+ lighting set ups with 4 days to shoot. Was it easy? Not at all, but the film was completed due to the love we all share for horror. The point I’m trying to make is that every frame I shoot carries a piece of myself: my passions, my influences, and the risks I’m willing to take. Although it may be difficult finding a path doing something you love, it will leave you with a life worth living.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well for starters, I live in Carrollton, GA, which is about 40 minutes to an hour from Atlanta. That being said, I’d immediately take them to the greatest restaurant of all time, La Salsa. Everything on the menu is TO DIE FOR and priced phenomenally well. We also have something called the green belt, which is super fun to walk 0n because it is almost entirely in nature; I have walked the entire thing (about 17 miles) twice and I love taking people with me. Outside of Carrolton, I’d love to take them to the Plaza in Atlanta. There’s nothing quite like seeing a classic Kubrick film on the big screen in 70mm, and the Plaza is the place to make it happen. I’d love to take them to Guitar Center; they have loads of instrument related things including synthesizers, which I always have fun looking at.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mother and father deserve the most praise for nurturing my ambitions and career choices. They have been by my side throughout my entire life and have always pushed me to succeed and accomplish any task thrown my way. Additionally, I’d like to thank Luke Hobbs for being one of my biggest collaborators and friends on this journey. I’d also like to thank Christian Campbell, for being a like-minded film enthusiast, my editor on over 6 of my films and gaffer on 3. Thank you to my professors Patrick C. Clinton, Deon Kay and Chris Renaud for always showing me support, giving me advice, loaning me equipment, and for being a constant motivator throughout my college career. It also wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t give a special thanks to: Graycen Fountain, Uriel D. Rubio, Nathaniel Smith II, Kenan Poitevint, Christian Mitchell, Ethan Knox, Kain Butts, Ethan Chambers, Michael Vick and more.

Instagram: dzbolden

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-bolden-374aba1ba/